But as Prince William moved to greet another dignitary, the beaming sporting heroes high-fived each other and fist-pumped like school boys.

In the same room, the youngest person to sail around the world solo, Jessica Watson, was impressed by the duchess.

"You feel like you know them, and they treat you like you do," she told AAP.

But not everyone was so welcoming, with a crowd of about 30 Aboriginal rights activists chanting "No treaty, no peace" and "Always was, always will be Aboriginal land" before police disbanded them.

Outgoing Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley and Premier Campbell Newman had dashed back to Brisbane from Amberley, near Ipswich, to greet the royal couple for the second time in a day.

Afterwards, as they walked outside, cheers and shrieks followed them as the royals made a street walk, stopping to chat to the old, young and everyone in between.

Sue Gillies was there with her daughters Rebecca Gillies, 27 and Jodie Taranto, 34 from 7.30 in the morning.

"It was worth it," Rebecca said.

"It would have been nice if they'd sent Harry."

The duchess needed an army of helpers to pass on the gifts handed over security barricades - everything from modest posies of carnations, to stuffed kangaroos, chocolate bunnies, and a soccer ball bearing a map of Australia.

After more than half an hour greeting the crowds, the royal couple then climbed into a car, bound for the airport and a full schedule of events in Sydney on Easter Sunday.